term for boyfriend in Argentina

Hi all, I'm looking for an appropriate term for "boyfriend" in Argentina, specifically Patagonia, and specifically the word a teenager would use. When I lived in Chile we would have said "pololo," but that was a while ago, and my sense is that that term isn't used in Argentina, anyway. And "novio" gives me vibes more like "fiance," which is a bit too serious for a teen crush! Suggestions?

Hi, olmue! I think that "novio" is right. However, it's neutral. I really don't know the current term teenagers use in Patagonia. I knew of the term "pololo" in Chile... I also heard that Chileans share certain vocabulary with Patagonia's inhabitants.

However, I know a thirteen-year-old girl who is living in Patagonia and may help us with the appropriate term. I will send her an email and tell you the answer as soon as she replies...

Yes, olmue... novio is the word used for teens and adults, but sometimes it may be considered quite formal to refer to someone who is just a little more than a friend. Teens use the word novios, but if they want to avoid it they say: Juan anda con Julia o Juan sale con Julia o Juan y Julia salen.

Hi olume:
We don't have the distinction between boyfriend and fiancé in Argentina. In Spanish we can use prometido for fiancé, but we don't use it in Argentina. As mem said, in a more informal way you can say "él sale con ella" or "ellos están saliendo". But I have also heard this expression in adults, meaning that they don't have a steady relationship yet and they're getting to know each other. For teenagers I think is the same, you can use novio or están saliendo depending on how steady the relationship is.

Hi again! Yes, girls! I agree with you! Boyfriend or the other expressions would do in this case.

Perhaps, what olmue was looking for was a term like this: "FILO: Arg. Persona que entabla relaciones amorosas pasajeras". However, I think this is a term my grandma or mum would use.

I've chatted to my friend in Patagonia and she still recommends the term "novio". She confirmed that "pololo" is only used in Chile, but not in Patagonia.

You may also take into account the term "amigovio", as the girls suggested, if it is a less formal relationship.

The point is: in Argentina, we don't use a different word for fiance. We just say "novio" for any rather formal relationship (no matter the age or the stage of the relationship). This means you can use this term both for a couple who are recently going out or for a couple who are about to marry.